NEWS ARCHIVE

Dozens of potential new officers take NOPD physical test Tuesday morning at UNO

So far this year, the New Orleans Police Department has received 4,400 applications from people wanting to join the force. On Tuesday, some of those men and women took part in the second phase of the application process.

Dozens of potential new officers take NOPD physical test Tuesday morning at UNO

So far this year, the New Orleans Police Department has received 4,400 applications from people wanting to join the force. On Tuesday, some of those men and women took part in the second phase of the application process.

The physical test includes pushups, situps and a timed run that is scored and documented by the Civil Service Commission.

But the physical test is not the only hurdle Kelly Scharffbillig has to clear to become an NOPD officer. She would also have to move to here from Minneapolis, Minnesota, nearly 2,000 miles away.

“I fell in love the very first time I came down, so I've been trying to find a way to move down here ever since. Law enforcement is my dream job. So if I could live in my dream city and have my dream job, I'd be happy,” said Scharffbillig.

Scharffbillig is not alone. Officials tell us of the 34 people who took the physical test on Tuesday, 26 are from out of town.

“Currently I live in Dallas,” said Jaquaine-Robert Andrews, who says he is originally from Los Angeles.

“It's exciting. It's crazy to hear that people flew in to come do this,” said Cramer Hanburg, an applicant from the Northshore.

NOPD has made strides this year to make applying more appealing to locals and out-of-towners. Officers are now paid 15 percent more, there are less-strict education requirements and a there is a shorter, more convenient computer-based two-part entry exam that can be taken Monday through Friday. But these applicants understand if they get the job, things might not be so easy or safe. So you must also have a passion to serve.

“Well I've always wanted to be a cop since I was a kid. So I went through military, went through college just to get to this point,” said Andrews.

“I'm willing to put my life on the line because I believe this city is worth it. Any major city, you're going to have crime. In Minneapolis and St. Paul it's not much better. So you're going to have risks where ever you go,” said Scharffbillig.

By the end of 2015, a total of four recruiting classes will either have gone through or be in the academy. A class of 29 recruits is set to graduate at the end of this month.